Articles Posted in Car Accident

A driver who caused a Fresno car accident that killed a family — Donald Fisher, 77, his wife Arlene, 74, and their son, Brian Fisher, 55 — is likely to face criminal changes. According to a KFSN news report, the fatal accident occurred March 9, 2010 when 32-year-old Manuel Casillas crossed into opposing traffic lanes on Jensen Avenue and struck the Fishers’ vehicle head-on. Officials are still looking into what caused Casillas to go over the center divide of the roadway.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Fishers who were apparently very active and popular in their community. Tragic! My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved the Fishers. Please keep this grieving family and community in your prayers.
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Four people including an infant sustained serious injuries in a San Francisco car accident, which officials say was caused by a suspected drunk driver. ABC News reports that 24-year-old Faustino Vega-Xicohtencatl was traveling west in a 2004 Ford F-150 on Mark West Springs Road near Santa Rosa the evening of March 2, 2010, when he lost control of his vehicle and crossed into opposing lanes of traffic.

He struck a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer head-on critically injuring its driver, 21-year-old Carron Boyd. Randal C. Hinojosa, 22, a passenger in the Mercury suffered minor injuries. His 8-month-old daughter, Allesandrya Hinojosa, sustained severe head injuries and was taken to a local hospital. One other driver, who was involved in the crash, was fortunately uninjured. Police arrested Vega-Xicohtencatl on two counts of felony drunk driving. He was also charged with driving without a valid license Continue reading →

Michael Harris, 67, of San Carlos was one of two people killed in a Los Angeles car accident that occurred the evening of March 3, 2010 on the northbound 605 Freeway in Cerritos. According to a news report in The Press-Telegram, a Ford van containing seven people was going north in the number two lane and was near the Artesia (91) Freeway, when the van tried to move into the carpool lane nearly hitting a Mitsubishi Lancer traveling in the number one lane.
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Steven Kroff, 75, was killed in a car accident after his vehicle crashed into a large truck at an intersection in Gilroy. According to a news report in the Gilroy Dispatch, Kroff was driving his Sebring convertible south on No Name Uno. California Highway Patrol officials said he stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Buena Vista and then pulled into the intersection in front of an oncoming Chevy Silverado pickup truck driven by a 40-year-old woman. The woman did not have a stop sign. Kroff died at the scene. Officials believe he may have been on his cell phone at the time of the collision based on the time of his last call. The driver of the truck was not seriously injured.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Steven Kroff for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Authorities have identified an off-duty police officer who was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the evening of February 25, 2010, as 37-year-old Jacqueline Montalvo. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that the accident occurred when Montalvo’s vehicle crossed a median and careened into oncoming traffic. Three other vehicles were involved. One man was taken to a hospital in serious condition while three others sustained minor injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jacqueline Montalvo for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep this family in your prayers during their time of grief. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
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Brian Chase of the Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys (www.bestattorney.com) Southern California personal injury law firm has been named a Super Lawyer and Top 50 Orange County Attorney by Orange Coast Magazine. This is the 5th year in a row Chase has received this recognition.

Since Brian graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law, where he was the associate editor of the Pepperdine Law Review, he has been in the public eye as a superior personal injury lawyer for over 17 years. He has tried dozens of jury trials and has recovered seven- and eight-figure amounts from a variety of automobile manufacturers on behalf of people who have suffered catastrophic injury from auto defects.
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A bicyclist who was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the morning of February 15, 2010, has been identified by local authorities as 40-year-old Ovidio Morales. KTLA News reports that Morales was hit near the intersection of Compton Boulevard and Dwight Avenue by a driver who was possibly distracted by a cell phone. Those who witnessed the accident told police that the driver while talking on the cell phone, ran a red light, struck the victim, quickly examined the victim and drove away from the scene. Police are now looking for this hit-and-run driver. The vehicle they are looking for is a 1990s silver or gray Ford passenger van, likely an Aerostar. If you have information, please contact 310-605-6500.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Ovidio Morales for whom this must be a devastating loss. I offer my deepest condolences to his family. Please keep them in your prayers.
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Myrtle Harmon, 68, was killed in a Sacramento car accident after a driver crossed over the center line into the path of her vehicle, causing a head-on crash. According to a news report in the Chico Enterprise Record, 53-year-old Juanita Maldonado was driving a Honda Civic north on the Highway 99 the afternoon of February 14, 2010 when she crossed over the center line and hit Harmon’s 2005 Ford Focus, which was southbound. California Highway Patrol officials said Harmon died at the scene.

Maldonado and one of her grandchildren — 15-year-old Erica Aguirre — sustained serious injuries. Her 11-year-old grandson, Miguel Aguirre, suffered minor injuries. CHP officials said Maldonado was traveling about 40 to 45 mph when the Honda drifted to the right. She swerved back to the left causing the car to cross over the center line. Drugs or alcohol are not believed to be factors in this accident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Myrtle Harmon for their tragic and devastating loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. I also wish Maldonado and her injured grandchildren the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep these injured victims and their families in your prayers.
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A number of victims who have been injured in California car accidents proceed with their insurance adjuster under the impression that the adjuster is there to help them. This is a misconception that can significantly hurt your claim. The cold reality is that the adjusters are not your friend. In fact, the insurance adjuster will get promoted, and receive bonuses based on how much money he can save the company by withholding money from you.
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